​Working with you during the pandemic

​Working virtually is not our preference, nor is it an adequate substitute for 'being in the room' with beneficiaries - however, it's better than nothing. Music and the arts in education were being squeezed before the pandemic, and remain so despite the emotional and mental health benefits, for young people in all areas of education. 

We remain available for face-to-face work with small groups in rotation working within the protocols detailed below. All our programmes are available to be delivered online via methods agreed between us and groups/schools we are to work with and support. Lockdown doesn't heave to mean, locked out! 

We want schools and community groups who would have usually had us on-site to be reassured that we remain vigilant and focused on the health and wellbeing of beneficiaries, partners, stakeholders and our hardworking team of creative professionals - all of whom want to bring the magic of songwriting and music creation to those adversely affected by the pandemic, and to help people to make sense of the situation we are all experiencing.

What you can expect from us, and we expect from you....

1. Our practitioners/workshop leaders all wear facial visors/masks and carry hand sanitiser. They will all have access to protective gloves if required or requested.

2. Schools should note our songwriting workshops have been modified to fit into a shorter school day as required. The content/learning objective remains the same.

3. We will expect that when working on-site in a school setting, the room/space used must be well ventilated and clearly designated a work area for our use during the time we are working. It cannot be a thoroughfare or walk-through for other members of the school population.

4. Songwriting Charity equipment (Laptops, keyboards, speakers, iPads, microphones etc) will be sanitised throughout the workshop and will only be set up/touched/used by the workshop leader. 

5. The use of microphones for recording vocals is done so at a safe distance using professional microphone placement techniques and careful use of EQ, compression and gain. We will happily discuss this with you in more detail should you require further information on how we achieve high quality recording standards during this time.

6. Resources (pens/pencils and A4 paper) for use in workshops must be provided by schools as usual. We will limit beneficiaries exposure to equipment. Resources used for documenting workshop process and engagement should be undertaken by staff on-site and using equipment at their disposal. 

7. We can and will work with any group size up to 25 or one class. However, with the social distancing in place and the limits to numbers we can be in the room with at any one time, we are happy to be led by schools or groups who book us to determine the appropriate numbers of workshop participants at any given time according to the size of the space available and social distancing restrictions in place. 

8. To further minimise transmission risk to workshop leaders and limiting the amount of time spent on-site, all post production/mixing will be done off premises.
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9. All partner schools/groups/beneficiaries will still have access to a downloadable version of the song on the same day of the workshop, and a CD version (including an instrumental mix) will be sent to the partner schools/groups within a few days of their workshops.

10. We recognise that this protocol may not for some be far-reaching enough. We will apply common sense and our years of professional experience and skills to ensure the same high standard and quality experience we are known for, but doing so in a safe and inclusive way without increasing transmission risk for all. 

We have part-funded opportunities in the following areas, Cambridgeshire, Kent (inc Medway), Essex (inc. Southend-on-Sea).  Complete the form below for further details.